The wonder of Mathematics 

Creation speaks to us of a creator and just as this is true of our physical universe so I believe it to be true as we attempt to make sense of the universe by means of science and mathematics. Some see mathematics as merely a ‘toolkit’ which allows us to ‘do science’ but I see mathematics as so much more. The world of mathematics has a beauty of its own – the way one simple idea leads naturally to another, the way that ideas in different areas of mathematics fit together, the way that the simple and the complex often sit side by side.

Take our number system for example – full of simple ideas like whole numbers, negative numbers and fractions but also full of more ‘awkward’ numbers like ‘pi’ and ‘e’ which have a fascination of their own as well as being of vital importance in many areas in which mathematics is used. Then just when you think that numbers are sorted (no pun intended) up pops the notion of imaginary numbers like the square root of -1 and a whole new realm is opened up, which it subsequently transpires has direct application in various branches of physics! And that’s not to mention Fibonacci numbers or the Golden Ratio (or Divine proportion) or infinite numbers or…  These ideas and many others have puzzled and inspired mathematicians throughout the ages, many of whom were also heavily involved in theology or philosophy.

In recent years I have often shown my A level students a recording of a Horizon programme about the infamous Fermat’s Last Theorem and how, after hundreds of years of failed attempts, it was finally solved by Andrew Wiles. The story never ceases to amaze me and even move me. Such is the mystery and the wonder of mathematics.

Alan